Extremists’ Refusal to Support Revenue Forces Cuts That Californians Don’t Support

Sacramento, CA – The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California released the following statement from Laphonza Butler, President of SEIU ULTCW, the United Long Term Care Workers’ Union, on today’s announcement of trigger cuts:

“Trigger cuts are exactly the wrong medicine for a middle class that is shrinking and an economy that is still stalled, and Californians know it. Unfortunately, the intransigence of a minority of extremist legislators who refused to vote for revenue in the last budget is now forcing the state to make even more devastating cuts to schools, universities, working families, and seniors.

“There is something profoundly wrong with a political system in which a minority committed to representing a narrow set of interests time and again overrules the wishes of the majority. In 2012 we plan to break this cycle so we can once again invest in our children, take care of our seniors, and rebuild our state.

“It’s time for those who benefit the most from the investments we all make together to pay their fair share to help this state recover and start working for all of us again. Fortunately, in 2012, Californians will have the opportunity at the ballot box to break the political gridlock and secure much-needed new revenues.”

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Over 700,000 Californians make up SEIU in California; we work throughout the state, in all 58 counties, and we represent California in all of its diversity. We are social workers, nurses, classroom aides, state workers, security officers, college professors, home care workers, janitors, and more.